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Dog illness detected in at 600 dogs due to chicken jerky treats from China

A new deadly, mysterious illness has been detected in at least 600 dogs in the U.S., stated federal health officials.

Three brands of chicken jerky dog treats are said to be responsible for - a “mysterious illness in at least 600 dogs in the U.S.” - producing a sometimes deadly canine illness, though the extent of its spread is unknown, state federal health officials in numerous media reports March 13. In turn, an MSNBC TV report Tuesday statedthat “federal health officials have turned to consumers to help investigating problems possibly tied to chicken jerky pet treats made in China." Also, a log of complaints collected from pet owners and veterinarians contains references to at least “three popular brands of jerky treats that may be associated with kidney failure and other serious ailments,” according to internal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) documents obtained by msnbc.com. In turn, the FDA notes how the extent of the spread of this mystery dog illness is unknown.

The symptoms of illness as noted at the FDA from the tainted products include; decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

Those with concerns or questions should take their dogs to a veterinarian, states the FDA’s website; while noting if blood tests show increased urea nitrogen and creatinine levels it may well be a sign of kidney failure. If urine tests show increased glucose it may be a signal of other illness, stated the FDA.

Also, the FDA shares views on pet illnesses. For instance, it states that owners should look for “any sudden or unusual changes in the behavior pattern of your dog.” In turn, experts say this will help you to understand that it is ill and requires medical attention.

Also, does your dog seem to be quiet, listless and depressed? Is your dog off its food? Does your dog seem disoriented? Has it been losing its balance while getting up or while walking? Has your dog been displaying any unwarranted or uncharacteristic aggression? The FDA states that if the answer is yes to any one of these, it could indicate any kind of physical, hormonal, and neurological disorder, and it is time to go visit the vet.

Dog treats a continuing problem

Moreover, msnbc.com noted how “another three listed Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, produced by the Del Monte Corp. The rest listed single brands or no brand.”

Since 2007, FDA scientists have analyzed jerky treats for evidence of dangerous toxins, including heavy metals, melamine, melamine analogs and diethylene glycol, chemicals used in plastics and resins.

According to the FDA and the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN), experts are still actively working on finding an answer to this mystery illness in dogs. Also, the FDA in their warning does note the lack of definitive answers but also states that the treats should remain as treats and not be used as a meal replacement for pets.

FDA sets up priority cases to protect pets

The mystery illness in at least 600 dogs points to the FDA’s methods for identifying safety and pet product recalls.

For instance, msnbc.com noted March 13 that “Priority 1 cases are those in which the animal is aged 11 or younger and medical records that document illness are available, an FDA spokeswoman said. In many cases, samples of the suspect treats also are collected. The report, obtained through a public records request, is the first agency indication of any brands linked to illnesses that have climbed since the FDA warned pet owners about jerky treats in November. That was the FDA's third caution about the pet products since 2007.”

In turn, the owner of a healthy dog named “Sam” said during a March 13 Huliq interview that he would “never give Sam anything but ‘natural’ treats;” while point to a new trend with pet owners to either buy local organic pet treats or to make the treats themselves.

Manufactures say treats safe

The MSNBC TV report also noted that “Nestle Purina and Del Monte officials said their treats are safe and FDA regulators said repeated tests have shown no absolute tie to any brand or manufacturer.”

“No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined,” FDA officials said in a statement featured on the msnbc.com website; while also pointing to an “internal FDA report” that prompted this investigation in the dog illness.

This internal report - overseen by the FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak and Response Evaluation, or CORE, group – “is one of several ongoing assignments in which FDA regulators are seeking jerky treat samples and medical records of dogs that may have developed kidney failure, liver disease or Fanconi syndrome, which can lead to serious illness and death. The recent complaints were filed from October through December by people in cities from California to New York, but the agency will continue to accept them,” added the msnbc.com report.

“We still invite owners and veterinarians to submit complaints and samples,” said Siobhan DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman. “The more information we have, the more likely we can find a link.”

MSNBC stated “the move comes as the FDA is under growing pressure from consumers and lawmakers to address rising numbers of illnesses blamed on the China-made treats.”

For instance, before the warning was issued in November, “the agency had logged 70 reports of illnesses tied to the treats last year. Since then, more than 530 additional complaints of illnesses and some deaths have been filed,” officials said.

Dogs that’ve died due to the treats

“Bella, a 2-year-old pug, died last fall after her owner, Robin Pierre, said she ate Waggin' Trail chicken jerky treats,” reported MSNBC during a March 13 TV report; while also noting how “consumers who say their dogs were sickened or killed have launched at least three petitions demanding recalls of jerky pet treats made in China, including one begun in December that has more than 3,400 signatures from the U.S. and around the world.”

In turn, people have come out against pet products being made in China.

Pet owners worry about China pet treats

“At the slightest doubt, these products should have been recalled, especially knowing there was a link or at the very least a caution/warning label put on the packaging warning the consumers,” said Robin Pierre, a co-founder of “Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China.”

Pierre, 49, of Pine Bush, N.Y., believes Waggin’ Train chicken jerky treats were responsible for the sudden death last fall of her previously health 2-year-old pug, Bella, who developed kidney failure, added the msnbc.com report.

“The last week of her life was nothing but misery and pain, separated from her family, she died all alone, in a cage, despite the fact that she had a family who loved her,” Pierre wrote in an email to msnbc.com. “She meant the world to me and my family.”

Dogs dying due to suspected treats

Moreover, a 14-year-old family dog named Ginger “sparked one of three petitions after she developed kidney failure possibly tied to chicken jerky pet treats. Her owner, Susan Rhodes, 51, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., wants the treats pulled from the market.”

More than 375 people have signed a petition launched last week by Susan Rhodes, 51, of Port St. Lucie, Fla. She believes her 14-year-old dog, Ginger, may have developed life-threatening kidney failure after eating chicken jerky treats. She was stunned to hear that consumer complaints alone can’t force the FDA - or a company - to recall potentially tainted products.

“That is just unreal. I am not happy with that,” Rhodes said.

For their part, FDA officials said the companies are free to enact a voluntary recall at any time.

Since 2007, MSNBC noted how “FDA scientists have analyzed jerky treats for evidence of dangerous toxins, including heavy metals, melamine, melamine analogs and diethylene glycol, chemicals used in plastics and resins.”

Nestle says its pet treats safe

So far, they’ve found nothing convincing, a point emphasized by Keith Schopp, director of communications for Nestle Purina. He noted that FDA officials also suggest that illnesses may be a result of causes other than eating jerky treats.”

At the same time, Schoop told MSNBC TV that: “Our chicken jerky treats are safe to feed as directed. The safety of our products - and the pets who consume them - are our top priorities.”

The company has a comprehensive food safety program in place, he said, including at manufacturing plants in China.

In turn, Pierre - who lost her dog - said she has little faith in pet food manufacturers - or in the FDA.

“Actions speak louder than words and there has been no action from them up until now,” Pierre said. “Waggin’ Train has hid behind the technicality that the FDA cannot find the link and the FDA has let them.”

Consumers can report illnesses to the FDA’s pet food complaint site at http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm182403.htm

Image source of a Dog named “Sam” enjoying a walk about in the snow along the Oregon coast March 13. Sam’s owner said he never gives his dog treats that are not organic and locally produced. Photo by Dave Masko

Comments

The FDA did tests last year using the chicken feed additive from Pfizer Corp. 3 Nitro Roxarsone. (the 3 Nitro has organic arsenic in it)It's been put in chicken feed for over 60 years thinking that it was ok. Last year the FDA did tests with 100 chickens that had 3Nitro feed and other chickens that did not use 3 Nitro. Guess what? The chickens with 3Nitro had arsenic in their bodies. Pfizer has quietly stopped making 3Nitro for use in the USA. The FDA published this information on their website for verification. So, does the FDA check for arsenic? I don't believe so. Can someone help carry the ball for me. My Westie (male) died a horrible death after eating just two of these treats. His sister(Westie) ate several pieces and did not have a problem. Each treat is a chicken breast from one chicken and maybe becasue there is no regulations in China maybe that explains why some dogs are dying and other aren't getting sick. Can Somebody help out here with further investigations?

Very sorry to hear about your buddy, Westie. As to Arsenic in treats: I believe that the FDA has tested for it already, as it is one of the 23 heavy metals, one of the more recent tests done in Feb, supposedly. Results are still “pending”. Unfortunately arsenic is still a legal carcinogen allowed in animal feed in the US, even tho 3Nitro not used. For investigating answers, and you can ask: “Tainted Dog Treats From China - Just The Facts”, an activist group on facebook. Lots of info! Many documents, as well. Also very important to sign the petition to recall chicken jerky treats on: change dot org.
NOTE: New findings. Do not feed your dog any treats made with Sweet Potatoes!! Most are imported from China and are treated with a toxic pesticide which is making dogs sick with the SAME symptoms as the chicken jerky treats: kidney failure and death. Vets have complained to the FDA, so far without results.

The FDA did tests last year using the chicken feed additive from Pfizer Corp. 3 Nitro Roxarsone. (the 3 Nitro has organic arsenic in it)It's been put in chicken feed for over 60 years thinking that it was ok. Last year the FDA did tests with 100 chickens that had 3Nitro feed and other chickens that did not use 3 Nitro. Guess what? The chickens with 3Nitro had arsenic in their bodies. Pfizer has quietly stopped making 3Nitro for use in the USA. The FDA published this information on their website for verification. So, does the FDA check for arsenic? I don't believe so. Can someone help carry the ball for me. My Westie (male) died a horrible death after eating just two of these treats. His sister(Westie) ate several pieces and did not have a problem. Each treat is a chicken breast from one chicken and maybe becasue there is no regulations in China maybe that explains why some dogs are dying and other aren't getting sick. Can Somebody help out here with further investigations?

I have a 14 Year Old Beagle named Molly. She is a rescue and the LOVE of our life!!! She has eaten Wagon train Chicken jerkey since it was available at Wal Greens and our pet Store which has been years. We Take her to the vet every 6 mo for a check-up and she is still in perfect health except ofcourse for the little AGE thing. Dogs that are 12 yr old and older tend to have things go wrong with them, they are OLD!!!
Look, I dont like alot of things made in China either and normally i would stay away from them just for my principals but a long time ago and before reading where they were from we gave our beautiful dog some Wagon train Jerkey (Chicken) and she fell in love with it. She will not touch another treat! We could stop giving her treats all together but thats mean. She is in good health, does not eat many of them and they are a favorite part of her day along with sleeping with us and the park. China or not, she gets them. This sounds like a FEW people that hate Chinese products so bad they will make up anything to get them out of here. I get it but QUIT scaring Nice people into doing it. IF you have REAL PROOF from the FDA or other countries agencies then send tf and get them stopped. If not, Deal with it. China makes enough mistakes by their selves. They dont need a whole 600 complaints out of 300 MILLION people in which over 80 Million abd actaully alot more own a dog!!!! Sorry. I hate China and would do my best to not buy anything from there but..... My dog does not know the difference and she loves them and has NEVER gotten sick.

Count your blessings - you obviously care very much for your Beagle and I am very happy that the treats you are giving her have not seemed to affect her. But I can tell you from personal experience, as I held a dying 5 month old puppy, that the chicken treats from China are poisonous to some dogs. Your Molly is one of the (admittedly many) dogs who are not affected by these treats. Molly is lucky. It's like the old story of the dog owner who says "My dog has been crossing the street on his own for 15 years and has never been hit by a car"... That DOES NOT make crossing the street safe for dogs! You do not have to deny Molly her chicken treats - just buy American Made chicken treats. There are plenty of options - just Google "American Made Pet Treats"; you might have to spend a little more, but it's well worth it. According to my vet, a dog can appear healthy while their kidneys are slowly destroyed - a dog can survive normally on as little as 30% of normal kidney function. It's only when their kidneys are more than 70% ineffective that symptoms become evident; then it is usually too late to do anything. The FDA has now sent representatives to China to investigate the reason for the deaths of so many pets due to consumption of their treats - that alone should be enough of a reason for you to become cautious. Please protect Molly - Please buy American Made Treats.

I had just recently bought my miniature schnauzer Canyon Creek Ranch Duck jerky treats. Does this recall go for all the treats or what? I'm really worried because I've given her 4 treats in a 4 day time period.

My baby Shadow is dying of kidney failure and the only treats she eats or did eat was chicken jerky, now I just found out 4 weeks ago she can die any time,there is nothing they can do, She is my life, without her I have nothing. She is a trained black lab and I have spent lost of money on her which I don't care about she is worth it, but right now she is suffering so I have to get the will power to have her put to sleep but I just can't do it yet god forgive me.